The Aluminess Explorer Roof Rack for the Sprinter Van is a top-tier accessory for van lifers. Adventurers who need extra storage and utility without compromising on quality or aesthetics. This roof rack is exemplifies a blend of functionality, durability, and sleek design.
Build Quality
First and foremost, the build quality of the Aluminess Explorer Roof Rack is exceptional. Although it is made from high-grade aluminum tubing in a 1″ diameter, it strikes the perfect balance between strength and weight. The rack is robust enough to handle heavy loads without adding significant weight to the van. Additionally, the rack is powder-coated to provide a durable, weather-resistant finish.
I want to stress the fact that light pods are integrated into the sides and back of the rack. I believe this is a genius move because it prevents the lights from being ripped off by a low tree branch. However, their website advertises a built in wiring run. I have been unable to really see what they are talking about. There is no obvious wiring loom to run the wires through that I can see. I may expand on this later once I get the lights wired up.
Installation
Installation of the Aluminess Explorer Roof Rack is relatively straightforward. For instance, the rack is designed to mount to the factory Mercedes Sprinter Roof Rails. If you do not have any roof Rails, you can buy aftermarket rails from companies like Nomadic Supply Company. I recommend professional installation if you are not mechanically inclined. The hardest part is getting it on top of the van. From there its as simple as lining up the bolts and tightening them down.
I chose to pay for the installation due to me lacking any feasible way to lift it on to the roof of my van. Aluminess quoted me a 4hr install with a shop rate of $125/hr, although this included installing my rear door tire mount as well. Overall the cost for install was about $600 and in my opinion well worth the money. They do the install at their shop in Santee Ca.
Functional Aspects
I obtained the roof rack dimensions noted here in the attached figure. I provided the measurements and location of my roof vent fan. It is important to measure from the correct location. The diagram shows a small round plug at the rear of the van, however when you get onto the roof there are actually two round plugs. One of them is at the back of the roof panel joint and the other one is where the camera mount is. Make sure you use the correct measuring spot.
The roof rack height was lower than I expected. Having the front open and flat makes a big difference in the profile of the rack. This was an ideal way for me to mount the RoofNest Falcon 3 EVO to the interior of the rack. The roof nest is 50″ wide and fits perfectly onto the rack at the front keeping it a lower profile than mounting it on cross bars.
The over all length of the rack is 143″ while the roof nest is about 80″. With my rear vent fan being in the usual spot, the leading edge from the fan to the front of the rack was 92″. This left a decent amount of space between the tent opening and the fan. There remains plenty of storage space to put some luggage provided you don’t crush the fan…
Pros Vs. Cons
The rack looks great. The integrated lighting is genius. The quality is superb and the 1″ tubing is an easy size to find accessories for.
On the downside, the advertised integrated wiring loom has yet to be found for running the wires. The low profile of the rack means the fan cover will stick up slightly above the floor of the rack. However, I really wish they raised the height of the rack by about 0.5″ so you could put a flat board over the fan when loading gear on top of it. Also, the rear ladder mounted on the rear door is a pain in the ass to effectively use for all my needs. I am having an additional side ladder made this week.
Overall I love the rack. I think it is the perfect balance between aesthetics and functionality. Of note IT DID NOT INCREASE ANY WIND NOISE. I have not noticed any drop in fuel economy either.
